Abstract : This document presents a summary of the author's research work, together with some perspectives. The major part of this work deals with the reliability and the "applicability" of numerical methods for thin shells. More specifically, the issue is analysed in the context of the asymptotic behaviors (with respect to the thickness) of shell models. Some more recent investigations regarding fluid-structure interaction, optimal design of resonator gyroscopes and cardiac biomechanics are also summarized.